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Berlin -- Reichsportsfeld
and 1936 Olympics Site
The area where the
Olympic Games were held in Berlin in August 1936 was known as the Reichsportsfeld. It
included the Olympic Stadium and several other sports fields and buildings. Much of this
area remains today as it did in 1936, still a sports center.
Click here to
visit the Haus der Deutschen Sport and the site of the 1936 Olympic Village.
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Architectural model
(left) and aerial photo (right) of the Reichsportsfeld, showing the sites that appear
below. The Olympic Stadium is at the center, with the Olympic Bell Tower on
the other side of the adjacent sports field. The
Dietrich-Eckart-Bühne appears at the lower left (lower center in the aerial photo).
(left - from Official Catalog of the 1st German Architecture and Crafts
Exhibition, in the Haus der Deutschen Kunst in Munich,
January-March 1938; right - 1936 dated postcard; both in author's collection) |
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The
Olympic Stadium, designed by Werner March, remains much as it was in 1936 (on the exterior), although the Sonnenrad
(Sun Wheel) symbol has been removed from the right-hand tower (note - from
2001-2006 the stadium was remodeled, modernizing the inside). (Werner Rittich, "Architektur und Bauplastik der
Gegenwart," Berlin, 1938) |
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The
Dietrich-Eckart-Bühne was an amphitheater built in the "Thing"
style,
near the Olympic Stadium. It is known today as the Waldbühne, and is used for
rock concerts. (left - Werner Rittich, "Architektur und Bauplastik der
Gegenwart," Berlin, 1938; right - period
postcard). For another period photo, see http://www.silentwall.com/SceneryBuildings28.html. |
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| Further views of the
Dietrich-Eckart-Bühne, from (left) a period postcard, and (right) "Das
Deutschlands Adolf Hitler," Special Edition of the Illustrierter Beobachter
newspaper, 1937. |
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further views of the Dietrich-Eckart-Bühne from period postcards. |
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Entrance to the
Dietrich-Eckart-Bühne. (Werner Rittich, "Architektur und Bauplastik der
Gegenwart," Berlin, 1938) |
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The
Glockenturm (bell tower) overlooks the large open sports field (Maifeld) adjacent to the
Stadium. The tower contained the Olympic Bell, which was inscribed
"Ich rufe die Jugend der Welt!" (I call the youth of the
world!). The tower was burned out at the end of the war and blown up by
the British occupying forces in 1947, and rebuilt in 1962. Today the tower contains a reproduction of the bell; the original
is displayed outside the stadium itself (see
below). (Werner Rittich,
"Architektur und Bauplastik der Gegenwart," Berlin, 1938)
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Beneath
the Bell Tower is the Langemarck
Halle, dedicated to the memory of German student soldiers who were killed
during the battle of Langemarck
(West Flanders, Belgium) in November 1914 (World War I). Long closed to
the public, the Langemarck Halle was recently opened amid some
controversy, since the original martial inscriptions remain on the walls.
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| On the
left, the Olympic Bell receives the final touches in the workshop. On
the right, a model of the bell showing the Brandenburg Gate side. |
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original 1936 Olympic Bell is now on display outside the Olympic
Stadium. The bell has a German eagle holding the five Olympic Rings in
its talons on one side, and the Brandenburg Gate on the other. The bell
also had two swastikas cast into the rim - these are still partially
visible (see here). The bell
was damaged during the war when it was accidentally struck by an
anti-aircraft round fired at Allied bombers overhead. A long crack
passing through the bell was the result of its falling to the ground
when the bell tower was destroyed by British forces in 1947. |
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Above, Adolf
Hitler leads the delegation of sports officials and foreign leaders into the Olympic
Stadium for the 1936 Olympic Games. Below, the German athletes march in, led by flag-bearer Hans
Fritsch (track and field events). The interior modernization is evident
with new seating and sun screens. (above
- National Archives, Record Group 242HB; below - Hans
Quassowski, ed., "Zwölf Jahre: 1.Kompanie Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler,"
Rosenheim, Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft, 1989) |
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| The view
on the left shows the special seating area (in the distance) built for
Adolf Hitler and visiting dignitaries. On the right is part of the colonnade
that runs around the outside of the stadium, featuring original lamps
inspired by the Olympic Torch. Both of these views show the recent
changes to the Stadium - Hitler's seating area has been particularly
changed. |
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| Behind
the Stadium is the Maifeld (May Field), alarge field for marching
reviews, gymnastics demonstrations, and May Day celebrations. The
entrance to the Stadium on this side was flanked by two equestrian
statues by scultor Josef Wackerle. |
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| Various
sculptures appear around the Olympic Stadium. Seen here are the Rosseführer
(horse holders) by
Josef Wackerle. (Werner Rittich,
"Architektur und Bauplastik der Gegenwart," Berlin, 1938; below -
"Kunst im Dritten Reich") |
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| Sculptures
by Karl Albiker on the Olympic Stadium grounds - Diskuswerfer (discus
throwers) (above) and Staffelläufer (relay runners) (below).
(Werner Rittich,
"Architektur und Bauplastik der Gegenwart," Berlin, 1938) |
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Official
website for the Berlin Olympic Stadium
Continue to the Haus der
Deutschen Sport and the Olympic Village Site
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Ruins homepage
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